Agenda - 06-23-2004-8b - Laserfiche WebLink

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by Great Blueand L ittgie Greenrhe ons aze msost likely dto be observed aterr in~ d pcingp e danaotrnon 3 4 Power Line Right-of- W aY A power line cut of approximately 67 acre crosses the upper northwestern comer of the site. This open azea of weedy vegetation is most likely maintained by a combination of annual cutting and application of species specific herbicide as evidenced by the presence of no mooII ~ weet year's growth of the herbaceous layer and the presence of dead foliage remaining gum saplings, indicative of herbicide treatment during the late part of the growing season. Common species present within the power line right-of--way include broom sedge (Androaoeon vir ' ' cus ,goldenrod Soli o species), frost aster (Aster oilosus), witchgrass (Dich_._._ ?nd?el3'?rn species), brachen fern (ptrr;a multifidum), blackberry ubus species) and extensive cover of croskeRrrim virmmeum exotic invasive Japanese grass (Mi Two cazcasses of whitetail deer were noted along this power line right-of--way. Ephemeral Marsh The drainage from the vernal pools within the heart of the Upland Depression Swamp ore slowly meanders westwazd into a cleared area of approximately 48 acre,. This extremely wet area contains a flock vegetative cover of characteristic wet~an GP ceria seotentrionalis) msh (Juncus effuses), sedges Cazex species), eastern manna gr ( ~ goldenrods (Solid o species), ironweed (Vemonia noveboracensis), seedbox udvzn is species) and 5t. Andrew's rocs (Hypericum sp~~,s)~oody vegetatiotn here includes saplings of sweet icrosteeium vu-rnin ubus 7apanese grass (D gum (t inuadambaz styraciflua ,red maple (Acer mbmm ,and clumps ofblackberry (R species). The drainage conimues from the open azea consolidating into a shallowh been ral stream channel as it flows into Four Mile Branch tributary. This small clearing maintained by at least once a year mowing ding drY Periods. If left untended it is Likely that the swamp forest would encroach onto this moist site. Both species of shFobask~owsry aoe observed beyond into the forest bordering the creek just west of this clearing P in the open wetland during two site visits, Natural Wetland Habitats Four-Mile Branch and Unnamed Tributary The tributary of Four Mile Branch originates north of Interstate 85-40 and enters the site via a four-foot wide culvert underlying the six-lane highway. It is a clear stream with a moderate flow moving southwest across the northwestern comer of the site where it enters a culvert under the power line and exits the site to join Four Mile Branch. Four Mile Branch then pazallels the western edge of the site before entering it for a short distance in the southwestern comer where it exits south through two culverts beneath W est Ten Road. The creek is sluggish as it approaches the culverts because of beaver impoundment fusrth~ r~d~wnstcorded pH of 6 1 witlr a water Examination of the tributary on 20 Febmary temperature of 50 F, Several types of macrt~v la a Order Buhemaropt r~ndragonflO ~P~ Am hi oda , sowbugs (Order Iso oda , ma y ( (Suborder Z o tera , water boatmen (Order Hemiptera), and water striders (Order HemiPtera), Vernal Pools A meander of vernal pools occupies approximately 82-acre within the larger Upland L)eprasasrion of the poolseis nt wresting in tha tast~thmeanders through thef Brest canopyslmosscovered~ 4